Microbiologist salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Microbiologists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $65,910 a year ($31.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,960 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 9% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $72,500. There are 0.16 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| 25th percentile | $47,450 | $22.81 |
| Median | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| 75th percentile | $85,840 | $41.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,960 | $63.44 |
| Average (mean) | $75,060 | $36.09 |
Half of microbiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,492.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,746.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,535 |
| Weekly | $1,267.50 |
| Hourly | $31.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,620 | 1,240 |
| Columbus, OH | $78,030 | 170 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $77,770 | 100 |
| Cleveland, OH | $73,600 | 70 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $66,500 | 50 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $62,090 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for microbiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 |
| California | $108,530 |
| Maryland | $108,470 |
| Georgia | $103,070 |
| New Jersey | $96,020 |
| Illinois | $92,050 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Montana | $87,750 |
| Connecticut | $86,360 |
| North Carolina | $85,860 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,350 | $51.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $67,080 | $32.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Chemist | $96,170 | $46.23 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Biological Technician | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| School Psychologist | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $67,930 | $32.66 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $67,380 | $32.39 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $65,910 a year, or $31.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $131,960 a year. The top 25% earn $85,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,430 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $47,450 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 170 microbiologists are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.